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Next summer's global tournament is finally beginning to seem tangible. Although supporters can finally start marking their calendars, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Well before the iconic group performed with YMCA, we were left picking the bones out of a opening round featuring a showdown between football's top forwards and a playoff bracket that could produce a truly mouthwatering meeting between two greats of the sport.

The Draw That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in eager to find out their national side's group stage opponents. But, even though supporters are accustomed to such ceremonies being lengthy, this was extraordinary.

After acts by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, addresses from dignitaries and Fifa officials, plus countless video packages and interviews, it finally seemed to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the real selection process finally commenced around 90 minutes after the star-studded show first kicked off. The draw itself then required almost an hour to finish.

Moving On to the Football Itself...

Next summer's World Cup will be the largest in history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this expansion has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in overall strength.

There are hardly any fixtures between the major nations. England's game against Croatia is the biggest theoretically. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

Brazil versus The Atlas Lions is the second most intriguing. The Dutch have the most difficult draw by official standings, while Die Mannschaft—grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao—have the weakest. But, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Goal Machines Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his first major tournament in the upcoming finals. The Premier League striker scored 16 times in eight matches to drag his nation to their first appearance since 1998.

Few have managed to come close to the youngster's incredible scoring records—but someone who has is set to come up against him in the final round of the group stage. Along with Senegal, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will go head-to-head for the initial occasion in international football. Expect goals. Lots of goals.

We Meet Again

Mexico will face Bafana Bafana in the opening match—repeating history. The sides also opened the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous goal.

Another notable fixture will see the French once more face the Senegalese, who stunned the reigning title-holders back in 2002. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the decisive goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the First-Timers

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the finals for the first occasion. However, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, the tiny Caribbean island, the least populous country to ever feature in a World Cup, will take on four-time winners Die Mannschaft. The island nation, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners La Roja.

Jordan, after decades of trying, meets defending champions La Albiceleste and the legendary forward. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will be guided by a former champion against the Portuguese icon's Portugal.

What About the Playoff Rounds?

Assuming all the top teams progress from their groups, we shouldn't have to wait for the heavyweights to meet. The last 16 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a potential tie between past winners the Germans and the French.

On the opposite half of the draw, eyes will be fixed on the quarter-final stage, where historic adversaries the Argentine and Ronaldo are lined up for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal winning their groups and navigating the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the probable first knockout game. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could await in what would be their first ever World Cup knockout fixture.